Al-Maqasid

In this eighth session based on Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habashi’s book 'Remedy for the Hearts,' Ustadh Amjad Tarsin continues to look at aspects of Sayyid al-Istighfar that relate to Islam, Iman, and Ihsan.

He then covers the next section of the book which discusses why this supplication is considered the preeminent Prophetic formula for seeking Allah's forgiveness, paying particular attention to the meaning of ‘Allahumma,’ the first word. The discussion ends with the adab of making du’a (supplication), using this formula as an example.

Before commenting on the last section of Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habashi’s book 'Remedy for the Hearts,' Ustadh Amjad Tarsin notes that the Summer Retreat 2020 is ending on a blessed day, the last Jumu’a the Hijri year. Scholars and the righteous ask for forgiveness and the acceptance of good deeds at the conclusion of something.

Ustadh Amjad then turns to the final chapter of Habib Ahmad’s book, which discusses the virtues and benefits of seeking forgiveness, based on numerous verses in the Quran, and which provides a comprehensive list of powerful supplications asking for forgiveness, including the preeminent formula Sayyid al-Istighfar, the topic of this work. Ustadh Amjad mentions over ten supplications, noting when they should be recited and the particular benefit gained by their recitation.

In this fifth and final session, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses the remaining five of the ten steps to elevate the level of Islamic Discourse that Habib Umar Bin Hafiz identifies in his book 'The Islamic Discourse in Religious Institutions: its Current State and Future Development.'

Shaykh Yahya pays special attention to the sixth step, which concerns showing respect for various fields of expertise in general and for the field of issuing fatwas in particular. He also explains why every single Muslim in the United States has a responsibility to positively impact the society for the sake of Allah the Exalted and how that duty can be accomplished.

In the final two sessions, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses the last section of Habib Umar Bin Hafiz’s book 'The Islamic Discourse in Religious Institutions: its Current State andFuture Development,' which provides ten steps to elevate the level of Islamic Discourse in light of current challenges.

In Part 1, Shaykh Yahya covers the first five steps. He also explains the extremely important difference between renewal (tajdīd) versus reform, the former recognizing that the religious texts (Quran, Hadith) and established religious principles, which not require any development. Indeed, by remaining faithful traditional texts and principles is what allows institutions to deal with the challenges of the time.

The next session in Habib Umar Bin Hafiz’s book 'The Islamic Discourse in Religious Institutions: its Current State andFuture Development,' discusses five principles of success in Islamic discourse that correspond to the first seven verses in Surah al-Muddathir (The Cloaked One, 74:1-7).

According to the author, may Allah preserve him, these are the qualities that the All-Merciful commanded His Messenger, blessings and peace be upon him, to have when entrusted with carrying, conveying, warning, and clarifying the Message revealed to him.

Shaykh Yahya Rhodus continues his discussion of Habib Umar Bin Hafiz’s book titled, 'The Islamic Discourse in Religious Institutions: its Current State andFuture Development.'

Here, two chapters of the book are covered: (1) The Integrity of the Discourse is Dependent Upon the Integrity of the Individual and (2) The Most Evident Means for Success.

Practical advice is provided on how to raise the level of discourse on both institutional and individual levels.

In this five-part series Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses selected excerpts from Habib Umar Bin Hafiz’s treatise titled 'The Islamic Discourse in Religious Institutions: its Current State and Future Development.' The series explores important principles for institutions involved in serving the religion. Topics include: the primary mission of religious institutions, the most prominent means for impact, the integrity of the discourse and its relation to the integrity of the individual, and practical suggestions on how to improve the state of the discourse.

In this first session, Shaykh Yahya covers the primary mission of religious institutions and the methodology to implement it. He also discusses six factors that that an institution needs to positively impact the state of the Ummah and what an institution must avoid so people are not prevented from understanding the reality of Islam and beholding its beauty and splendor.

Allah the Exalted teaches us in the Noble Quran, "And say, 'My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.'" [Quran 20:114] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ also taught us, further emphasizing the virtue of sacred knowledge, "Whoever Allah wills good for, He grants him understanding of the religion." [Bukhari and Muslim]

This Khutba focuses on the virtue of seeking knowledge and the importance of seeking it with sincerity. May Allah revive sacred knowledge in our communities, adorn our hearts with the qualities of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ, and allow the lights of guidance to illuminate the hearts of many others in need.

Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses a statement from Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habashi (d. 1144 AH, 1732 CE), one of foremost students of Imam al-Haddad, in which he gives advice to travelers on the spiritual path.

In this passage, Habib Ahmad counsels the wayfarer to stand vigilantly at the door of Allah the Exalted, even if he or she is initially rejected or distanced. No matter how difficult things may get, one should never lose hope in the Mercy of Allah the Exalted.

When Eid al-Adha falls on Jumu’a, there are two Eids to celebrate, cumulating in an especially auspicious occasion. On this blessed day, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin reflects on several verses in the Quran that mention the Hajj and the remembrance and glorification of Allah.

He explains how these verses help to prepare us for what Imam al-Haddad describes as the long journey to the Hereafter. Through remembrance of Allah our hearts come to life, which is the true Eid.